A place where staff reviews are shared with the public! Be kind, all of these reviews are done by staff members who want to share what they are/have been reading, watching, and listening to. We also share what is new in the libraries and a staff member gives a brief blurb about the book, courtesy of our OPAC (Syndetics Unbound Blurbs) or Novelist Blurbs about the books.
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
March 29, 2022 - BCPL Children's Author of the Month
Monday, March 28, 2022
March 28, 2022 - New Arrivals
Adult Fiction
The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews.
Letty Carnahan is in
trouble. She's on the run from New York City; she has her four-year-old niece,
Maya in tow, and her sister was found dead in the entry hall of her glamorous
townhome. Letty believes she knows who did it: her sister's awful,
money-grubbing ex-husband, Evan Wingfield. Letty can't forget her sister Tara's
insistence: "if anything bad ever happens to me--It's Evan. Promise me
you'll take Maya and run. Promise me." But run where? The only clue Tara
has left behind is a faded magazine story about a sleepy mom-and-pop motel on
Florida's Gulf Coast. Certain that the police and Tara's ex are hot on her
trail, Letty leaves her own life behind without a backwards glance, knowing she
will somehow get justice for Tara, and sets out for her destination--The
Murmuring Surf. The Surf, as regulars call it, is the winter home of a
close-knit but quarrelsome group of retirees and snowbirds who regard this
newcomer and her adorable niece with suspicion and more than a little
curiosity. There's a No Vacancy sign swinging from the neon motel marquee, but
the motel's longtime owner Ava DeCurtis takes Letty in, offers her a room and
eventually a job, much to the disapproval of Ava's cynical son Joe, a local
police detective whose every instinct tells him that Letty is a dangerous fugitive,
possibly even a kidnapper and murderer. As Letty tries to settle into her new
life and help heal Maya's trauma, she's preoccupied as her late sister's
troubled past and connection to the motel are revealed, all while trying to
deal with the attractive detective's unwelcome advances. Is Joe a would-be
suitor? Or a cop determined to betray her confidence and put her behind bars?
The Druid by Steven A. McKay.
In the aftermath of a
surprise attack Dun Buic lies in smoking ruins and many innocent villagers are
dead. As the survivors try to make sense of the night's events the giant
warrior-druid, Bellicus, is tasked with hunting down the raiders and thwarting
their dark purpose. With years of training in the old ways, two war-dogs at his
side, and unsurpassed skill with a longsword, Bellicus's quest will take him on
a perilous journey through lands still struggling to cope with the departure of
the Roman legions. Meanwhile, amongst her brutal captors the little princess
Catia finds an unlikely ally, but even he may not be able to avert the terrible
fate King Hengist has in store for her. This, the first volume in a stunning
new series from the bestselling author of Wolf's Head, explores the rich
folklore and culture of post-Roman Britain, where blood-sacrifice, superstition
and warfare were as much a part of everyday life as love, laughter and song. As
Saxon invaders and the new Christian religion seek to mould the country for
their own ends one man will change the course of Britain's history forever. . . .
. . THE DRUID.
Flying Angels by Danielle Steel.
World War II brings
together six remarkable young flight nurses, who face the challenges of war and
its many heartbreaks and victories as unsung heroes. Risking their lives on
perilous missions, they join the elite Medical Air Evacuation Transport
Squadron and fly into enemy territory almost daily to rescue wounded soldiers
from the battlefield. Even knowing they will not achieve any rank and will
receive little pay for their efforts, the "Flying Angels" will give
their all in the fight for freedom.
Adult Non-Fiction
Forever Young by Hayley Mills.
The daughter of acclaimed
British actor Sir John Mills was still a preteen when she began her acting
career and was quickly thrust into the spotlight. Under the wing of Walt Disney
himself, Hayley Mills was transformed into one of the biggest child starlets of
the 1960s through her iconic roles in Pollyanna, The Parent Trap, and
many more. She became one of only twelve actors in history to be bestowed with
the Academy Juvenile Award, presented at the Oscars by its first recipient,
Shirley Temple, and went on to win a number of awards including a Golden Globe,
multiple BAFTAs, and a Disney Legacy Award. Now, in her charming and forthright
memoir, she provides a unique window into when Hollywood was still 'Tinseltown'
and the great Walt Disney was at his zenith, ruling over what was (at least in
his own head) still a family business. This behind-the-scenes look at the drama
of having a sky-rocketing career as a young teen in an esteemed acting family
will offer both her childhood impressions of the wild and glamorous world she
was swept into, and the wisdom and broader knowledge that time has given her.
Hayley will delve intimately into her relationship with Walt Disney, as well as
the emotional challenges of being bound to a wholesome, youthful public image
as she grew into her later teen years, and how that impacted her and her
choices--including marrying a producer over 30 years her senior when she was
20!
Robert E. Lee by Allen C. Guelzo.
Robert E. Lee is one of
the most confounding figures in American history. Lee betrayed his nation in
order to defend his home state and uphold the slave system he claimed to
oppose. He was a traitor to the country he swore to serve as an Army
officer, and yet he was admired even by his enemies for his composure and
leadership. He considered slavery immoral, but benefited from inherited slaves
and fought to defend the institution. And behind his genteel demeanor and
perfectionism lurked the insecurities of a man haunted by the legacy of a
father who stained the family name by declaring bankruptcy and who disappeared
when Robert was just six years old. In Robert E. Lee, the
award-winning historian Allen Guelzo has written the definitive biography of
the general, following him from his refined upbringing in Virginia high
society, to his long career in the U.S. Army, his agonized decision to side
with Virginia when it seceded from the Union, and his leadership during the
Civil War. Above all, Guelzo captures Robert E. Lee in all his complexity--his
hypocrisy and courage, his outward calm and inner turmoil, his honor and his
disloyalty.
Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel
Blancaflor by Nadja Spiegelman & Sergio García Sánchez. J GN
Raised by a mean ogre of a
father who eats his opponents for dinner, Blancaflor is often told not to show
off her own considerable powers for fear of scaring off suitors. When a prince
falls from the sky and wakes up in her lap, she is spellbound and moves heaven
and earth to help the endearing, yet not so clever, young man, all while trying
not to let him know.
Who is Queen Elizabeth
II? by Megan Stine. J NF
In 1936, the life of
ten-year-old Princess Elizabeth of York changed forever. Although she was a member
of the British Royal Family, she never expected to become queen. But when her
uncle Edward gave up the throne, suddenly her father was the new king, which
meant young Elizabeth was next in line! Queen Elizabeth has reigned since
1953, and while there are palaces galore, the crown jewels, and trips around
the world, her life has been one of strict discipline and duty. This
riveting chronicle follows the life of a woman who is a public figure and an
intensely private person and explores how she has kept the monarchy together
through good times and bad.
Friday, March 25, 2022
March 25, 2022 - Staff Reviews
Thursday, March 24, 2022
March 24, 2022 - Staff Picks
Another month is winding down, readers! We're looking to share a new type of post today featuring children's fiction stories.
National Library Week is approaching! Celebrate it by visiting your local library and meeting fun unusual library patrons. To start the celebration off, read about Bears, Dragons, Circus’, and even Monsters in the libraries. They are great stories for expanding the imagination and love of reading for those in pre-kindergarten to second grade levels.
In The New LiBEARian, Ms. Merryweather is late to storytime. That never happens. So, Dee and her friends follow clues to find her and during the hunt they find out there is a new LiBEARian working there. Little do they know that he came from somewhere special and does not even work there.
Did we learn our lesson about allowing unusual library patrons to the library? Well…maybe not quite. If Bears can be in a library I guess that means dragons can too…right? In DO NOT BRING YOUR DRAGON TO THE LIRBARY, a friend and his dragon try to enter the library and learn that while there are many things that are going on, it is not quite safe to bring a dragon in. For one they are big, are sometimes rude, and have a little problem with flames. But don’t worry; the librarian comes up with a solution that is perfect for all.
If bears and dragons are not allowed, surely a one girl circus is. Magnolia saw a sign that said “You Can Do Anything At The Library!” It got her thinking that she could have her very own quiet circus in the library. What can go wrong with cannons, pies, and hula hoops? Check out what happens by checking out the book If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, DON’T!
Sometimes there are people who don’t like libraries. But have you ever heard of a monster not liking a library, especially one who thinks the library is a restaurant? Theodore and Oskar came to the library for one thing and one thing only, to read in quiet. But something just does not seem right as they snuggle down on their bean bag chairs. In The NOT So Quiet Library, they learn just what is making the noise and have to use the knowledge they have gained from reading books to stop it.
What are some of your favorite library tales? Are any perfect for little readers?
(AS)
Please note this post was originally shared in OVParent Magazine.
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
March 23, 2022 - A Book & A Recipe
Monday, March 21, 2022
March 21, 2022 - New Arrivals
Adult Fiction
The Hope Chest by Carolyn Brown.
"An inheritance has
reunited three estranged cousins. Their grandmother Lucy left Nessa, Flynn, and
April her home nestled in the woods near Blossom, Texas, as well as a hope
chest to be unlocked after they complete a special task. Together, they must
hand-stitch a cherished quilt Lucy left unfinished. It meant everything to her.
And now, to three people struggling with their own patchwork pasts . . . To
Nessa, the house has always been an escape from her strict parents--a home away
from home. Flynn has followed a profligate path into adulthood, never guessing
it would lead him here. And the town of Blossom only stirs up a lifetime of
disappointments for April. Lost and with nowhere to go, her last chance is
helping fulfill Nanny Lucy's final wish. Thread by healing thread, Nessa,
Flynn, and April bond over the quilt and all it represents. As they discover
the family they've been looking for in one another, they share more than
memories. They share the hope of new beginnings."-- Provided by publisher.
Her New Story by Laura Bradford.
Tess Baker thought she had
the perfect everything--until her best friend, and (now ex) husband, betrayed
her, leaving her with nothing, except her career as an investigative reporter.
In her work for a leading magazine, Tess can lose herself in whatever story
she's chasing. So she's devastated when her next assignment is far from the
exciting location or action-packed quest she anticipated. Thanks to a recent
misstep, Tess is handed a bus ticket to Pennsylvania--to Amish country. The
story? Write about living in the past in a modern-day world. Determined to
prove herself by coming up with something juicier than a run-of-the-mill
human-interest piece, Tess makes her way through this strange place, digging
for dirt ... Yet no matter where she turns, scandal eludes her. Instead, Tess
encounters kindness and grace, even striking up unexpected friendships with
women who bear a wisdom and capacity for forgiveness she can't imagine. It's
only when she meets eighty-something Miss Lottie, beloved by the community even
after decades away, that Tess realizes she may have hit upon the story she was
looking for. But can she betray the people who have opened their arms--and
their hearts--for the sake of a scoop?
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult.
Diana O'Toole is perfectly
on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and
move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional
ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She's an associate specialist at
Sotheby's now, but her boss has hinted at a promotion if she can close a deal
with a high-profile client. She's not engaged just yet, but she knows
her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their
romantic getaway to the Galápagos--days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on
time. But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on
the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It's all hands on deck at the
hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her,
since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste.
And so, reluctantly, she goes. Almost immediately, Diana's dream vacation goes
awry. Her luggage is lost, the Wi-Fi is nearly nonexistent, and the hotel
they'd booked is shut down due to the pandemic. In fact, the whole island is
now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely
isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a
connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana,
despite her father's suspicion of outsiders. In the Galápagos Islands, where
Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was formed, Diana finds
herself examining her relationships, her choices, and herself--and wondering if
when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely
different.
Adult Non-Fiction
Ultimate Guide: Plumbing by Merle Henkenius.
Learn how to make both
minor and major DIY repairs and improvements that will save you money! No need
to hire a plumber, especially in emergencies when you need an immediate fix.
This best-selling guide on plumbing will teach you everything you need to know,
from understanding how plumbing systems work and fixing a leaky faucet to
making renovations, soldering copper, installing fixtures, and so much more.
Featuring detailed how-to diagrams, code-compliant techniques, tips on how to
spot and improve outdated or dangerous materials in your home plumbing system,
and so much more, this newly updated edition features new code-compliant
techniques for 2021, plus a new section on air gap fittings.
The Great Reset by Glenn Beck & Justin Haskins.
An international
conspiracy between powerful bankers, business leaders, and government
officials; closed-door meetings in the Swiss Alps; and calls for a radical
transformation of every society on earth--the Great Reset sounds like it is one
henchman-with-an-eyepatch away from being the plot for the next James Bond movie. But
the Great Reset is not a work of fiction. It is a highly influential
movement among the world's elite to "reset" the global economy using
banks, government programs, and environmental, social, and governance metrics.
If they are successful and the Great Reset is finalized, it would put
substantially more economic and social power in the hands of large
corporations, international institutions, banks, and government officials,
including Joe Biden, the United Nations, and many of the members of the World
Economic Forum. In The Great Reset: Joe Biden and the Rise of
Twenty-First-Century Fascism, Glenn Beck uses his trademark blend of
humor, storytelling, and detailed analysis to reveal for the first time the
unbelievable truth about the Great Reset, tying together nearly two decades of
groundbreaking research about authoritarian movements and their efforts to
fundamentally transform the United States.
Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel
Across the Desert by Dusti Bowling.
J
Twelve-year-old Jolene spends
every day she can at the library watching her favorite livestream: The
Desert Aviator, where twelve-year-old "Addie Earhart" shares her
adventures flying an ultralight plane over the desert. While watching this
daring girl fly through the sky, Jolene can dream of what it would be like to
fly with her, far away from her own troubled home life where her mother
struggles with a narcotic addiction. And Addie, who is grieving the loss of her
father, finds solace in her online conversations with Jolene, her biggest--and
only--fan. Then, one day, it all goes wrong: Addie's engine abruptly stops, and
Jolene watches in helpless horror as the ultralight plummets to the ground and
the video goes dark. Jolene knows that Addie won't survive long in the extreme
summer desert heat. With no one to turn to for help and armed with only a
hand-drawn map and a stolen cell phone, it's up to Jolene to find a way to save
the Desert Aviator.
Katt Loves Dogg by James Patterson & Chris Grabenstein. J
During a family reunion at
the Eastern Wilderness Reserve, adventurers and expert trackers Molly the katt
and Oscar the dogg must outsmart the rule-makers when two of their cousins run
away together.
Saturday, March 19, 2022
March 19, 2022 - Staff Reviews
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
March 16, 2021 - BCPL Resume Tips
Welcome back, resume warriors! We've got fresh ideas to share for March 2022.
Resume Tip #17 - Adding a Volunteer Section
A volunteer work or community outreach section is an excellent way for a young person or new worker to beef up their one-pager. And sometimes for a more experienced hiree, it can set you apart from other candidates. This portion of your resume can really give your prospective an employer an idea of you as a person and what you're like outside of work.
What sort of volunteer experience is worth noting? You'd be surprised! Did you participate in events with your church? Maybe you coached a peewee sport team or helped the local theater put on a play. Did you serve food or assist patrons at a soup kitchen? Or perhaps you helped shelve materials and clean at the library one summer.
Some may say that a volunteer history section is a bad idea because it implies you might be willing to work for less or for free. That's not true! It can really illustrate your levels of dedication and caring.
The best way to format your volunteer history is the same way we would for work experience or job positions in general. Include the name of the facility or the organization. Your responsibilities, activities, and duties. Location may or may not be relevant depending on the amount of space left on the one page. Try not to go over one page, that's another tip. Did you assist a higher up? Did you organize supplies? Maybe you coordinated or events?
Now, keep in mind, a volunteering section is definitely not a requirement. If your experience with certain groups is more than 5-10 years in the past, it's probably not worth including. It's also okay if you don't have any volunteer work to include. Plenty of people are busy enough with their time taken up by family and friends as well. But it's nice to fill space or gaps and to give potential employers a look at your interests.
Until next month, job seekers! Remember to ask your local library for help with your job search or resume updates. They can be an excellent resource!
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
March 15, 2022 - Staff Reviews
Monday, March 14, 2022
March 14, 2022 - New Arrivals
Adult Fiction
Tom Clancy: Chain of
Command by Marc Cameron.
A shadowy billionaire has
used his fortune to further his corrupt ambitions, and now he is ready to
implement his most ambitious plan yet. There's only one force standing in his
way: President Jack Ryan. How do you compel a man like Ryan to bend? The
billionaire zeros in on his one Achilles heel: Jack Ryan's family. He has
assembled an international team of ruthless mercenaries for one mission: kidnap
the First Lady.
Just Haven’t Met You
Yet by Sophie Cousens.
"Lifestyle reporter
Laura's business trip to the Channel Islands isn't off to a great start. After
an embarrassing encounter with the most attractive man she's ever seen in real
life, she arrives at her hotel and realizes she's grabbed the wrong suitcase
from the airport. Her only consolation is its irresistible contents, each of
which intrigues her more and more. The owner of this suitcase is clearly
Laura's dream man. Now, all she has to do is find him. But what are the odds
that she'd find The One on the same island where her parents first met and fell
in love, especially as she sets out to write an article about their romance?
Commissioning surly cab driver Ted to ferry her around seems like her best bet
in both tracking down the mystery suitcase owner and retracing her parents'
footsteps. But as Laura's mystery man proves difficult to find - and as she
uncovers family secrets - she may have to reimagine the life, and love, she
always thought she wanted."-- Provided by publisher.
The Last House on the
Street by Diane Chamberlain.
When Kayla Carter's
husband dies in an accident while building their dream house, she knows she has
to stay strong for their four-year-old daughter. But the trophy home in Shadow
Ridge Estates, a new development in sleepy Round Hill, North Carolina, will
always hold tragic memories. When she is confronted by an odd, older woman
telling her not to move in, she almost agrees. It's clear this woman has some
kind of connection to the area... and a connection to Kayla herself. Kayla's
elderly new neighbor, Ellie Hockley, is more welcoming, but it's clear she,
too, has secrets that stretch back almost fifty years. Is Ellie on a quest to
right the wrongs of the past? And does the house at the end of the street hold
the key?
Adult Non-Fiction
The Birth Certificate by Susan J. Pearson.
For many Americans, the
birth certificate is a mundane piece of paper, unearthed from deep storage when
applying for a driver's license, verifying information for new employers, or
claiming state and federal benefits. Yet as Donald Trump and his fellow
"birthers" reminded us when they claimed that Barack Obama wasn't an
American citizen, it plays a central role in determining identity and
citizenship. In The Birth Certificate: An American History, award-winning
historian Susan J. Pearson traces the document's two-hundred-year history to
explain when, how, and why birth certificates came to matter so much in the
United States.
Windows 11 for Dummies by Andy Rathbone.
Windows 11 promises to be
the fastest, most secure, and most flexible version of the Microsoft operating
system yet. With a promise like that, of course you want to start using it, as
quickly as possible! Windows 11 For Dummies gives you that speed,
security, and flexibility by getting you up to date with the latest in Windows.
Windows expert and bestselling author Andy Rathbone gives you a helping hand by
showing you how to get around the newly updated Windows 11 interface, how to
use the new Windows tools like Teams and widgets, and how to use Android apps. Your
tour of Windows 11 starts with the Start menu and ends with how to troubleshoot
when things go wrong. In between you find out how to find files on your hard
drive, connect with friends and colleagues on Microsoft Teams, transfer photos
from your phone to your hard drive, or switch between your desktop and laptop.
Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel
Within These Wicked
Walls by Lauren Blackwood. YA
Andromeda is a debtera--an
exorcist hired to cleanse households of the Evil Eye. She would be hired, that
is, if her mentor hadn't thrown her out before she could earn her license. Now
her only hope of steady work is to find a Patron--a rich, well-connected
individual who will vouch for her abilities. When a handsome young heir named
Magnus Rochester reaches out to hire her, she takes the job without question.
Never mind that he's rude and demanding and eccentric, that the contract comes
with a number of outlandish rules... and that almost a dozen debtera had quit
before her. If Andromeda wants to earn a living, she has no choice. But she
quickly realizes this is a job like no other, with horrifying manifestations at
every turn, and that Magnus is hiding far more than she has been trained for.
Death is the most likely outcome if she stays, the reason every debtera before
her quit. But leaving Magnus to live out his curse alone isn't an option
because--heaven help her--she's fallen for him.
Billie Eilish by Adrian Besley.
YA NF
With number one albums in
multiple countries and five Grammys under her belt, Billie Eilish has become a
pop sensation. Billie was a promising young dancer until musical success came
literally overnight in 2015. A song she uploaded to SoundCloud received a
thousand plays in twenty-four hours. The thirteen-year-old's voice intoxicated
listeners and the track went viral. Billie and her brother, Finneas, produced a
series of eclectic but equally bewitching tracks, which drew fans from around
the world. Follow her journey from singing in her bedroom to performing at huge
arenas, and find out what makes Billie Eilish the most extraordinary teenage
star in the world.
Thursday, March 10, 2022
March 10, 2022 - Staff Reviews
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
March 9, 2022 - Book Club Preview
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
March 8, 2022 - Staff Reviews
Monday, March 7, 2022
March 7, 2022 - New Arrivals
Adult Fiction
The Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman.
When Sonny Dunes, a SoCal
meteorologist whose job is all sunshine and seventy-two-degree days, is
replaced by a virtual meteorologist that will never age, gain weight or
renegotiate its contract, the only station willing to give the fifty-year-old
another shot is the very place Sonny's been avoiding since the day she left for
college -- her northern Michigan hometown.
A Man of Honor by Barbara Taylor Bradford.
Opening five years before
the start of A Woman of Substance, A Man of Honor begins with
13-year-old Blackie O'Neill facing an uncertain future in rural County Kerry.
Orphaned and alone, he has just buried his sister, Bronagh, and must leave his
home to set sail for England, in search of a better life with his mother's
brother in Leeds. There, he learns his trade as a navvy, amid the grand
buildings and engineering triumphs of one of England's most prosperous cities,
and starts to dream of greater things... And then, high on the Yorkshire moors,
in the mists of a winter morning he meets a kitchen maid called Emma Harte.
Criminal Mischief by Stuart Woods.
After a dangerous
adventure has him traveling up and down the coast, Stone Barrington is looking
forward to some down time at his Manhattan abode. But when an acquaintance
alerts him to a hinky plot being hatched across the city, he finds himself
eager to pursue justice. After the mastermind behind it all proves more
evasive than anyone was expecting, Stone sets out on an international chase to
places he's never gone before. With the help of old friends--and alluring new
ones--Stone is determined to see the pursuit through to the end, even if it
means going up against a foe more unpredictable than he has ever faced...
Adult Non-Fiction
Eclectic Rhythms by Geoffrey K. Fleming.
This biographical
dictionary on Huntington artists began simply enough, with a fairly basic
question: how many artists have worked in Huntington since it was founded? This
question, and the subsequent research upon it, led to the creation of this
publication, which documents approximately 600 artists of every kind who have
lived and worked in Huntington since 1871.
The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe.
Millions of words have
poured forth about man's trip to the moon, but until now few people have had a
sense of the most engrossing side of the adventure; namely, what went on in the
minds of the astronauts themselves - in space, on the moon, and even during
certain odysseys on earth. It is this, the inner life of the astronauts, that
Tom Wolfe describes with his almost uncanny empathetic powers, that made this
book a classic.
Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel
Star Wars: Smuggler’s
Run by Greg Rucka. J
Set between Star
Wars: A New Hope and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, the
story follows everyone's favorite pair of smugglers as they fly
the Millennium Falcon on a top-secret mission for the Rebellion.
Hidden in the story are also hints and clues about Star Wars: The Force
Awakens, making this a must-read for fans old and new!
Himawari House by Harmony Becker.
YA GN